EP1323557B1 - Closing device for an opening in a vehicle with a mobile rotatory pane and corresponding vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The field of the invention is that of automotive bays. More specifically, the invention relates to shutter devices of an array formed in the body of a vehicle, and comprising a movable portion, capable of releasing or closing an opening. Such a closure device is known from the document EP-A-0626282 .

Conventionally, to seal the bay of a vehicle, be it an automobile, a commercial vehicle, a truck, a bus or a railway car, there is a report window, maintained by a connecting frame. The latter has an inner part and an outer part, which simultaneously pinch the edges of the ice and the opening in the body, with a seal.

The most commonly used technique for opening and closing a car window is to make it movable vertically in its own plane, by making it penetrate or leave the box or the trim of the side doors.

This technique is nowadays commonly used and solutions for automating it are known. The equipment of automobiles in electric windows is today very widespread.

This technique, however, has many disadvantages. The actuating and driving means are heavy, bulky and complex to mount. The resulting doors therefore have a large volume, affecting the volume available inside the vehicle (elbow width in particular).

They also have a high manufacturing cost and typically pose sealing problems. Maintenance is also complex. They also impose constraints in terms of aesthetics and ergonomics.

Another technique has been proposed by the holder of the present patent application. This technique is described in particular in EP-A-0 778 168 and EP-A 0 857 844 . The shutter device (hereafter called "bay" flush ") presented in these documents comprises a fixed assembly and a moving part relative to this fixed assembly.The moving part is connected to the fixed assembly by functional elements which provide the required mobility and which are attached to the face of the fixed part turned towards the inside of the vehicle.

Such a flush bay can be mounted completely independently of the vehicle, and reported from the outside, in the housing defined for this purpose on the vehicle body. It can also be secured, in particular by bonding to the lower part of a door, according to the technique described in the document EP-A-1,022,172 . This solves most of the problems identified above.

From the aesthetic point of view, the flush bay presents, from the outside, a smooth, flush appearance, because no frame is necessary.

The movement of the movable part can be, for example, tilting or sliding. An example of this latter case is briefly described below.

To ensure a sliding of the movable part, generally consisting of a transparent panel, the functional means comprise a guiding device comprising a first and a second guide rails fixedly mounted on the fixed assembly of the bay, on both sides. of the opening closed by the movable panel. It is mounted on the rails, to slide in a longitudinal direction, in a sliding plane between one (or more) open position and an intermediate release position in which it is facing the bay and cleared from that -this.

Hinge means provide the connection of the panel with the guide rails so as to allow a transverse displacement of the panel between its intermediate position of disengagement in which it is opposite and transversely recessed of the bay, and its closed position in which he is enshrined in the bay. The movable panel and passes from the plane formed by the fixed assembly (shutter position) to a substantially parallel plane of sliding, and vice versa.

This technique is advantageous, both in terms of aesthetics as on that of manufacture and assembly. However, in certain situations, it is not possible, or not very easy, to use such a sliding window. This is for example the case when the shape and / or structure of the vehicle, or at least its door, can not receive the rails and / or guide.
Similarly, it is undesirable for these rails to be placed centrally, and thus visible through the fixed assembly (they are generally placed close to an edge, and concealed from the outside to the help, for example, with screen printing).
Moreover, the general principle of sliding assumes, according to the known prior art, the presence of two parallel rails. This applies to substantially rectangular bays, and also to rectangular moving panels. This is however more difficult to adapt, for example to a substantially triangular shape of the bay (it is difficult to provide two parallel rails), or to a movable panel of any shape, for example circular or ovoid.
In addition, the motorization of these sliding bays, which involves the actuation of two successive and perpendicular displacements, remains at the present time complex to implement.
The invention particularly aims to overcome these various disadvantages.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a closure device of the "flush bay" type that does not require the use of sliding rails, or other relatively bulky means.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a device, implementing a new kinematic of the mobile panel, so as to allow, for example, a presentation and / or original distribution, or adapted to a particular vehicle, the bay and / or its mobile panel (or mobile panels). The invention also aims to provide such a device, allowing the implementation of movable panels of any shape, for example circular.

The invention also aims to provide such a closure device that can be easily and efficiently motorized.

• aspect esthétique affleurant ;
• aspects aérodynamiques ;
• facilité et coût réduit de fabrication ;
• facilité et coût réduit de montage.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a closure device of a bay which retains all the advantages of "flush bays" already developed by the holder of the present application, and in particular:

• flush aesthetic appearance;
• aerodynamic aspects;
• ease and reduced cost of manufacture;
• ease and reduced cost of assembly.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear later, are achieved by means of a closure device according to claim 1.

It is therefore a completely new kinematic, which as we shall see later, is well suited to many forms of movable panel, and particularly simple to implement, manually or motorized.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said single axis carries a thread.

As already mentioned, the operation can be manual, for example using a handle mounted on the axis of rotation. Advantageously, however, the movements of said movable panel are provided by motorization means.

In this case, said drive means advantageously act on said screw thread, the latter making it possible to perform said locking / unlocking movement by screwing / unscrewing, and said rotational movement, in an abutment position.

Advantageously, the device of the invention comprises means for pressing said movable part, in the open position, against said fixed assembly, for example by reversing the direction of rotation of the motorization means.

Preferably, said single axis is mounted on said movable panel so that when said device is mounted on said vehicle, said single axis extends inwardly of said vehicle.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the closure device of the invention forms a complete assembly intended to be attached from the outside of a vehicle to a bay defined in the body of the latter.

Preferably, the means ensuring the mobility of said movable panel are mounted on said fixed assembly so that when it is mounted on said vehicle, they extend inwardly of said vehicle.

Said motorization means are provided to be secured to said body. They can also be secured to the device (which then forms a ready to be mounted on a vehicle).

The invention also relates to vehicles comprising at least one closure device as described above.

• la figure 1 illustre de façon schématique le principe général de la cinématique de la partie mobile d'un dispositif d'obturation selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 illustre de façon schématique un mode de réalisation selon lequel le dispositif d'obturation selon l'invention est motorisé ;
• la figure 3 illustre une variante de l'invention, dans laquelle l'ouverture est circulaire.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, and drawings in which:

• the figure 1 schematically illustrates the general principle of the kinematics of the mobile part of a closure device according to the invention;
• the figure 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment according to which the shutter device according to the invention is motorized;
• the figure 3 illustrates a variant of the invention, in which the opening is circular.

As already stated, the invention proposes a new kinematic for a movable panel of a device for closing a bay of a vehicle, resting in particular on a rotation of the latter, while remaining permanently substantially parallel "to him. "or, more exactly, to the plane defined by the bay. In other words, the mobile panel passes in a plurality of planes, all substantially parallel.

The term "substantially" means that there may be gaps, misalignments or displacements that are not perfectly straight because of the structure and shape of the bay and the vehicle, materials, tolerances, wear, ... It does not, however, the case of a panel "across" a wiper device.

Note also that the term "plan" must be understood in a broader sense: the plan formed by the bay is generally curved in one or two directions (this may also justify, in some cases, the substantially ").

• ouverture/fermeture, par un déplacement en translation le long de l'axe de rotation (munie par exemple d'un pas de vis) ;
• rotation autour de l'axe, pour libérer plus ou moins l'ouverture (l'écrou étant alors bloqué sur le pas de vis).

The kinematics of the moving panel is, as will be seen below, broken down into two separate movements (in x and y ):

• opening / closing, by displacement in translation along the axis of rotation (provided for example with a thread);
• rotation around the axis, to release more or less the opening (the nut is then blocked on the thread).

The figure 1 schematically illustrates this technique.

The closure device therefore comprises a movable portion 11 relative to a fixed assembly 12 intended to be attached to the body of a vehicle.

According to the invention, the movable portion 11 can be rotated 13 around an axis 111, between two extreme positions: a closed position indicated by the reference 11 and an opening position of the bay indicated by the reference 11 '(in dotted lines).

The axis 111 is integral with the movable portion 11 and perpendicular (or near-perpendicular) thereto. The position of the axis 111, here in the vicinity of an angle of the movable panel, may vary, and may for example be recentered along one of the edges of the panel.

The rotational movement of the moving part, parallel to the plane of the bay, thus provides a kinematic shutter device according to the invention completely new compared to the kinematics of known shutter devices.

It follows in particular from this kinematics that the position occupied in the open position by the movable part of the closure device according to the invention is significantly different from that it would occupy in traditional sealing devices.

This allows, in particular, better use of certain spaces, which should have been left free to allow sliding, to make original mounting of the movable panel, or even combinations of several movable panels.
Note that the movable panel can be retracted, at least partially, inside a lining, for example, in the lateral extension of the bay or, from top to bottom, inside the door box.

• un déplacement 25 de verrouillage/déverrouillage, perpendiculaire au plan formé par l'ensemble fixe 12, et permettant le passage du plan formé par l'ensemble fixe 12 à un plan de rotation, sensiblement parallèle au plan formé par l'ensemble fixe 12, et réciproquement ;
• un déplacement de rotation 26 autour d'un axe dans un plan de rotation parallèle au plan formé par l'ensemble fixe 12.

There is thus a flush bay efficient and easy to implement. The unique axis of rotation makes it possible to control the two perpendicular displacements of the movable panel:

• a locking / unlocking movement 25, perpendicular to the plane formed by the fixed assembly 12, and permitting the passage of the plane formed by the fixed assembly 12 to a plane of rotation, substantially parallel to the plane formed by the fixed assembly 12, and reciprocally ;
• a displacement of rotation 26 about an axis in a plane of rotation parallel to the plane formed by the fixed assembly 12.

It will be noted that this displacement of rotation 26 takes place here inside the vehicle with respect to the fixed assembly 12. It can also, in certain cases, be go outward.

According to the illustrated embodiment, by the figure 2 the axis 111 carries a screw thread coupled to motorization means 24 which ensure the mobility of the movable panel 11.

The axis of rotation 111 is placed in an angle, or at least one edge, of the movable portion 11, to allow a good clearance of the opening. It extends perpendicular to the fixed plane of the bay, defined in particular by the fixed assembly 12.

This shaft 111 carries a worm, driven by the motor 24, which can be connected to the vehicle body, or to the bay.

Upon opening (the movable portion 11 being initially embedded in the fixed assembly 12), the worm driven by the motor 24 back 25 the movable window 11, without turning.

After disengagement, that is to say when it is placed in an opening plane, the screw / nut system (the nut being secured to the movable panel) is blocked, by means of a stop made by example on the thread. The moving window 11 is then rotated 26, so as to retract and release the opening ( figure 1 ).

It is possible to press the glass open (or partially open), for example by providing means releasing the locking on the thread. The drive means, actuated in opposite directions, then applying the movable panel against the fixed assembly. A seal may allow to provide the damper function, during this plating.

Many variations can be envisaged in the implementation of this approach. In particular, as already mentioned, the retraction can also be done downwards (if necessary inside the door).

Of course, the mechanism can also be manual, as illustrated in figure 3 . We then place a handle 31 in the extension of the thread, that just turn to get one of the moves and then the other. Such a handle may also be provided, possibly in a removable form, although a motorization is integrated.

Note, on this figure 3 , the circular shape of the movable panel 32, for which the invention is well adapted. More generally, the panel may be of any shape.

Other embodiments, as well as variants and improvements, are conceivable.

In particular, although only one movable panel is shown, it is of course possible to provide several.

Finally, it does not detail the additional elements or annexes (seal, locking system, burglar-proof device, ...), which can of course be integrated into the array of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. Device for closing an opening made in a motor vehicle body, comprising a fixed assembly (12) intended for being joined to the said body and a part (11) which is movable with respect to the said fixed assembly (12), characterized in that the said movable panel (11) uses kinematics with respect to the said fixed assembly (12), broken down into two movements:

   - a locking/unlocking movement (25), perpendicular to the plane formed by the said fixed assembly (12) and with which the passage can take place from the plane formed by the said fixed assembly (12) to a rotation plane, substantially parallel with the said plane formed by the said fixed assembly (12) and vice-versa

   - a movement (26) of rotation about an axis in the said rotation plane,

   the said kinematics being controlled by means of a single pin (111) rigidly fastened to the said movable panel (11), perpendicular to the latter and fitted in the vicinity of an edge or corner of the said movable panel (11).
2. Closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the said single pin (111) has a screw thread.
3. Closing device according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the movements of the said movable panel are provided by motorization means (24).
4. Closing device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the said motorization means (24) act on the said screw thread (111), the latter making it possible for the said locking/unlocking movement to be carried out by screwing/unscrewing and for the said rotation movement to be carried out, in a limit stop position.
5. Closing device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the said single pin (111) is fitted to the said movable panel (11) so that, when the said device is fitted to the said vehicle, the said single pin (111) projects towards the inside of the said vehicle.
6. Closing device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises means for pressing the said movable part (11), in the open position, against the said fixed assembly (12).
7. Closing device according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it forms a complete assembly intended for being joined, from the outside of a vehicle, to an opening defined in the body of the latter.
8. Closing device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the means providing the mobility of the said movable panel are fitted to the said fixed assembly (11) so that, when the latter is fitted to the said vehicle, they project towards the inside of the said vehicle.
9. Closing device according to any of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the said motorization means (24) are provided for being rigidly fastened to the said body.
10. Vehicle comprising at least one closing device according to any of claims 1 to 9.

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